It used to be that, in order to get your stories out in the world, a creator needed a publisher. To get a publisher, you needed an agent, followed by a contract. As many writers and artists know, just having the talent and the drive is not always enough. Sometimes it can come down to luck, or connections, or simply perseverance. However, the internet changed all of that, providing way after way for creators to develop their work and get it in the world independently. Books can be self-published, and there are even websites to help you design basic covers. Further, the advent of crowdfunding has provided a source of freedom and a revenue stream, letting creators make some money to focus on their work. For anyone looking to print copies of their books, crowdfunding can provide the much-needed funds to hire a printer. Do well on a crowdfunded project, and your new fans will spread the word, helping to bolster future projects. While there are the stories of crowdfunded projects failing to get off the ground or misleading backers, it has overall been a boon for creativity.
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